MLB did the fair thing Sunday, disclosing that Manny Ramirez would only have to serve half of the 100-game suspension he was set to receive before he announced his retirement last year. Still, how much of a favor that does the 12-time All-Star remains to be seen.

The best Ramirez could do last winter when he came with considerably less baggage was $2 million from the Rays. Now he’s a year older, coming off practically a full year off and he’s going to miss one-third of the season. It’s anyone’s guess how much he has left in his bat.

Teams likely to sign full-time designated hitters include the Red Sox, Rays, Orioles and Mariners. The Blue Jays, A’s and Twins could as well.

But no team in search of a DH is going to want to commit to Ramirez and then wait two months for him. For that reason, Ramirez’s best bet might be the National League. A team like the Reds or Marlins could give him a minor league contract and then bring him up to serve as a pinch-hitter on June 1. It might well be the best Manny can do.

Twins are looking to cut payroll. They need a right-handed power bat. They’ve got a disgruntled fan base. They want to mix and match some of their kids early in the year to see what does and doesn’t work. It could make sense if Manny signs for the minimum, which he likely will have to.

Doumit/Morneau/Mauer can shift in and out at DH early in the year to keep ’em all fresh with Doumit/Mauer catching and all three spending some time at 1B. I realize it’s just me playing fantasy GM, but it’s not the worst-idea in the world. It might be in the top ten, but it’s not the worst.

The Twins are known for sticking to primarily “high character” players. Even if they were to compromise on their abnormally high standards, I can’t see them regressing to “cancerous” levels. They will go with young, cheap and untested before they’ll choose old, washed up and poisonous.

…you’re totally right, though. I think it’s just that part of me still thinks he could hit .300/.400/.550 and for the league minimum he’d be the legit right-handed monster the Twins have long-lacked.

Definitely not worth the headache though…

cur68 - Dec 4, 2011 at 8:51 PM

JG: while you’re fantasizing maybe you can fantasize that Manny has grown up a little and won’t be so bad a distraction in the clubhouse? Its certainly possible. I like the idea of Manny in Minnesota. Sounds like a good fit, bat wise, and not that big of a financial commitment for a guy who might have enough life in his bat to help that club. I would love to see a resurgent Twins.

thefalcon123 - Dec 5, 2011 at 9:53 AM

“I think it’s just that part of me still thinks he could hit .300/.400/.550 and for the league minimum he’d be the legit right-handed monster the Twins have long-lacked.”

2 players in the MLB hit .300/.400/.550 last year. If you think 40 year old Manny Ramirez could join them, I think you’re insane.

# of players who qualified for the batting title and slugged .550 in their age 40 season: 0

metalhead65 - Dec 4, 2011 at 7:21 PM

great thing to do mlb,just because he is old we will cut the the time he has to serve. what is the point of having rules if you do not enforce them for everybody?this guy tested positive how many times? he is not worth the trouble he causes so I hope nobody rewards his cheating ways by signing him.

I don’t see how that’s the “fair” thing to cut the penalty of a REPEAT OFFENDER in half just because he “retired” rather than face the music. That MLB’s drug policy is only “tough” if you’re not Manny? Give me a break.

Really? Why not take a flier? I mean, sure, he hasn’t played in a year, will have to serve a 50 game suspension, has hit 1 home run in his last 139 plate appearances, can’t field at all and is generally seen as one of the biggest clubhouse distractions and serial douchebags in baseball history, but on the plus side….umm….err….